Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk, husband and wife, and both singer-songwriters, have been recognized for their humanitarian efforts. In 2012, they received the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award. In 2014, it was the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award. And in 2015, Governor General David Johnston presented the Order of Canada to them.
Chantal sung at a War Child benefit concert in 2000 that raised $500,000 for the organization, which supports grassroots initiatives in war-torn countries. She’s been an ambassador for the charity for 16 years now. She also supports the Canadian Mental Health Association, Polar Bears International, First Nations People, Sick Kids Hospital, and Children’s Hospital Foundation in Winnipeg.
Raine began War Child’s Busking for Change initiative in 2007, where prominent musicians busk for twelve hours to raise money for War Child. Raine also supports Mental Health Awareness, PBI, Artists for Justice & Peace, and Apathy is Boring.
As part of their work with War Child, the couple participated in a documentary called Musicians in the War Zone, which followed several musicians into different countries that were in the midst of war. Raine and Chantal visited Iraq. The documentary, available online, encourages youth to become global citizens and educate themselves on what’s happening in the world.
The other side of their relationship is their music. Maida is best known as the frontman and co-founder of Our Lady Peace, one of Canada’s longest-running bands. “Music for me, early on, really always had that dual purpose,” Raine said in a 2014 Globe & Mail article. He was influenced by artists like Peter Gabriel, U2, and REM, all known for combining social justice with their work.
Chantal’s music training started as a child. She was an infant prodigy at the piano. Classically trained, she began to move towards pop music in her teens and started writing her own music. Sony signed her at the young age of 22, before she had performed any music on a popular level. In April 2000, she won two Juno Awards: Best Female Artist and Best Pop/Adult Album. She’s performed at the Centre In The Square several times.
“I think humanitarianism is something that, I believe, is really seen in our day-to-day interactions. To have kindness and compassion as your intention in every single thing you do; wow, you can do that and that’s amazing,” Kreviazuk said in a Metro News article. “That’s something I aspire to.”
Although married since 1999, Kreviazuk and Maida only recently began touring together, though they also keep their separate music careers going. This show is a rare glimpse into their personal lives as artists, songwriters, and singers. You don’t want to miss their concert, Moon vs. Sun on February 10 .
